FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2001
NIEHS PR #01-20
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/11throc.htm
NIEHS CONTACT: Bill Grigg
(301) 402-3378
grigg at niehs.nih.gov
NTP Plans to Look at Common Viruses, Radiation, Cooking by-Products
for New Carcinogen Report
The National Toxicology Program announced today it plans to review
three viruses, three forms of radiation, two substances formed in
cooking, and a variety of industrial exposures for possible listing in
the eleventh edition of the federal Report on Carcinogens, which will
be published in 2004.
The NTP, which is headquartered at the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, prepares such a report every two years.
The report is mandated by Congress to help assure that substances or
conditions that are likely to cause cancer are properly recognized by
the public and regulatory agencies. Substances may be listed as
"known" or as "reasonably anticipated" human carcinogens.
The NTP's announcement of its plans, which was published in the
Federal Register, asks the public and scientists to comment during the
next 60 days on the nominations and to provide any data on whether
they are carcinogenic, how much is produced, how they are used and in
what ways people are exposed. The 16 nominations for NTP's planned
review are:
1-Amino-2,4-dibromoanthraquinone, a vat dye used in the textile
industry.
2-Amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (or MeIQ), a substance
formed in food during heating or cooking and found in cooked meat and
fish.
Cobalt Sulfate, which is used in electroplating and electrochemical
industries, as a coloring agent for ceramics, as a drying agent in
inks, paints, varnishes and linoleum and as a mineral supplement in
animal feed.
Diazoaminobenzene (DAAB), which is used to promote adhesion of natural
rubber to steel, as a polymer additive and an intermediate in the
production of a number of pesticides, dyes and other industrial
chemicals.
Diethanolamine (DEA), which is used in preparing liquid laundry and
dishwashing detergents, cosmetics, shampoos and hair conditioners, as
well as in textile processing and other industrial uses.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a small DNA-enveloped virus that is
transmitted through contact with blood and blood products or other
body fluids.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), an RNA-enveloped virus mainly transmitted in
blood as is HBV above.
High Risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs), small non-enveloped viruses
that infect genital mucous membranes. HPV infections are common
throughout the world.
X-radiation and gamma radiation, used in medical diagnosis and
treatment, and produced in the use of atomic weapons. Neutrons, which
may affect patients getting neutron radiotherapy and the passengers
and crew of aircraft, which are naturally bombarded by the particle.
Naphthalene, which is used in making many industrial chemicals, and as
an ingredient in some moth balls and toilet bowl deodorants.
Nitrobenzene, which is used in the production of aniline, a major
chemical intermediate in the production of dyes.
Nitromethane, a stabilizer added to many halogenated solvents and
aerosol propellants.
Phenylimidazopyridine, which, like MeIQ (second item), is formed in
food during heating and cooking and is found in cooked meat and fish.
4,4'-Thiodianiline, which is an intermediate in the manufacture of
several dyes.
Comments or questions should be addressed to Dr. C. W. Jameson,
NIEHS/NTP, 79 Alexander drive, Building 4401, Room 3118, PO Box 12233,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, or jameson at niehs.nih.gov
--
Gary N. Greenberg, MD MPH Sysop / Moderator Occ-Env-Med-L MailList
gary.greenberg at duke.edu Duke Occupat, Environ, Int & Fam Medicine
OEM-L Maillist Website: http://occhealthnews.net
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